i need your opinion!!

Hi everyone!!! Im here so confused...dont know what to do. As u may know my name is brokenheart because i have a broken heart from a doctor that told me he was going to fix my heart rhythm problem and instead burned off my av node giving me complete heart block. I was very delicate and in intensive care for a couple days. Anyway, after that i ended up with a pacemaker. The problem i had which was the svt is gone however i still have atrial tachycardia that affects me because it makes my heart race too much ahead of the pacemaker and at times my heart gets out of sync and i pass out. My doctor ( a new one) wants to do another ablation to get rid of this problem. However, i am already so traumatized by by first experience with surgery and the subsequent problems i had to face including getting a pacemaker which i never thought would ever happen to me. I am a bit scared to go "under" again. I know there is not such a high risk any more because what more damage can they possibly do to me? I already have the pacemaker. But since i have not had much luck with my heart i dont know if i should put myself through another ablation. Please give me your opinions or suggestions. My doctor tells me to really think about it but he also doesnt think i should be living so miserable all my life. He thinks after the surgery i should feel much better. Thank you for reading my message. God bless you all.

9 Comments

i do take meds...

by brokenheart - 2009-05-23 02:05:08

Hi and thank you for your suggestions. I do take meds. I am taking bisoprolol and florinef. I have tried several meds since i got the pacemaker. Nothing works. I sitll pass out and still have tachycardia. I dont know what to do. I guess i may have to do the ablation after all.

Have they tried meds first

by ShadowWeaver - 2009-05-23 03:05:43

Make sure that you have tried meds first and are still going into a-fib through the medication. With the pacemaker installed, they can try stronger doses of the meds then without because the PM will keep the heart from going to slow. I am on 500mcg of Tikosen and 10mg of Bisoprolol a day. I will have some break through a-fib, but it isn't horrible. Just make sure before going to the ablation that you have tried the meds route first. If that doesn't work, then go for the ablation.

Michael

opinions

by Tracey_E - 2009-05-23 07:05:31

We have several members here who have had multiple ablations. One of them should chime in soon. You may want to consider a third opinion. Can't hurt, right? Though multiple ablations aren't common, they're not unheard of either. Just because one went wrong is no reason to think the next one will.

Ablating the problem usually fixes it once and for all, no side effects other than needing the pm which you've already got. Have they tried meds to slow you down, or programming the pm to put you into an artificial block temporarily when you go into tachycardia? Both have side effects so they may not be ideal solutions, but it's worth at least checking into it. If those don't work, the choices are living with it or ablating it.

No Drugs - have the ablation

by Cyborg Runner - 2009-05-24 04:05:13

Been there, done that. My situation was very similar to yours, except my initial ablation only damaged my AV node, so it works, though it needs plenty of assistance from my pacemaker.
I went initially for a-fib which came on suddenly during a training run (I run 40-55 miles/week), and the doc sent my right away to the hospital for an ablation. During the procedure my heart stopped and the doc couldbn't get it restarted and he installed a pacemaker. Two days later I went for a run and more a-fib. I was told that drugs were an option, but that they would make me lethargic and would slow me down running. I opted for a second ablation. This time the doc couln't get me into a-fib to figure out where to ablate, thus the operation was a failure. Two weeks later I had my third attempt at an ablation, and it was successful. Two weeks later I ran a 5K race and came in 25th of 800.
Since my third ablation I lead the same life as before all my heart business, though now I am able to train harder as my heart is now functioning more efficiently. It does suck having the PM, but after having it for 9 months I am used to it and have accepted that though I probably shouldn't have really needeed it, except for a doctor's mistake. The lump in my chest is much better than 6 feet of dirt on my head.
Forget the drugs and do the ablation. It's pretty simple and the results are instataneous with no ill effects. You'll be fine.
Dan

Dan

by Tracey_E - 2009-05-24 05:05:06

"The lump in my chest is much better than 6 feet of dirt on my head."

I am going to steal that quote from you, that is wonderful!!!!

My experience....

by ADalsmom - 2009-05-25 02:05:25

Hi....

I wanted to pass on my experience with an AV node ablation and bi-ventricular pacemaker. I had a-fib for about 6 yrs, which continually got worse. They put me on all the various meds to help control my arrhythmias. They didn't do any good. Next step was a full Cox-Maze procedure (open heart) to try to ablate the irregular impulses in my heart.....that didn't work either! I went to another EP and they did a regular ablation (the procedure took 8 hrs) and said that I would need a pacemaker since my heart stopped, which I wasn't expecting. Needless to say, that didn't work either! I was ready to give up....so tired of the irregular heart rates and feeling light-headed with no quality of life. They gave me more medications. Finally the doctor said the last resort would be an AV node ablation and bi-vent pacemaker. I was scared and hesitant thinking my heart was solely dependent on a PM. I decided to do the AV node ablation and bi-vent pacemaker and am so glad that I did now! Since that procedure, my heart rate is regular (even tho I still feel the a-fib flutter in my chest at times)....I feel normal and can do most of anything. All my heart meds were dropped too, except for Coumedin, since I still have the a-fib which can cause blood clots. I would check with your doctor....maybe you don't have the proper PM....mine said that they needed to put in a bi-ventricular pacemaker once my AV node was ablated. This procedure was simple and I just stayed overnight for observation. Wishing you good luck and if done properly, it should be a simple procedure. Check into the bi-ventricular PM if you didn't get one at the time of your AV node ablation.....Claudia

Ablations aren't always "fine"

by Angelie - 2009-05-25 12:05:29

Not meaning to scare you, but after having 5 ablations...I know quite a bit about them.

Ablations can work wonderfully for the rest of your life.

Ablations can work wonderfully, and then suddenly after a few months for no reason your symptoms re-appear.

Ablations can sometimes have no effect on the arrhythmia at all.

Ablations, like all invasive procedures, have risks and can cause more damage or problems than you had before (it's rare, but always possible)

Ablations don't always mean "no more drugs".

Results are not always instananeous, and can sometimes make you feel worse until your heart heals from the procedure itself.

My right diaphragm was paralyzed after my 3rd ablation. A risk, mind you, that I never knew existed and was not ever explained to me. I have had 2 other ablations since then, so the fact that one went wrong didn't keep me from further procedures.

My 4th ablation for IST, and atrial tachycardia left me in continuous high rate flutter for weeks. I was shocked on the table, and again 1 week later. I eventually had to return for a unplanned 5th ablation to ablate the atrial flutter.

After all of this, knock on wood, I'm okay.....and I wouldn't go back and change a thing. I'm too young NOT to try these procedures, and I'd most likely have another if I needed to.

Oh yeah, after this 5th ablation, I'm finally off of arrhythmia meds. Something I haven't been able to do in years....

Ablations are a lot to think about, but know what you're getting into. All in all, the benefits far outweigh the risks....sometimes it can take a while though, and I wanted you to know that.

It is NOT a cake-walk......but I agree with Dan, and say "go for it".

thank you...

by brokenheart - 2009-05-26 02:05:06

Thank you all so much for your suggestions and comments. I still have not made a decision. I am still quite scared about the whole ablation thing. After i had my first ablation i felt horrible for months. The doctors kept telling me that it was because i had gone through a lot and my heart was trying to recover. I have a dual chamber pacemaker. This is actually my second pacemaker because the first one stopped working all of a sudden and i was rushed to the hospital to get another one implanted. My doctor did tell me about the risk of hitting the nerve which controls the diaphragm but he said that has only happened to him once in 10 years. I just have not been so lucky with these procedures so i guess im a bit hesitant. I will have to think about it some more. God bless you all and thank you again.

other opinion

by E from Spain - 2009-05-26 11:05:13

Hi,

I had the same problem as you. I ended with a complete AV block due to the ablation and at the end the PM was the only solution. It took me couple of months to get use and a second ablation was necessary. Now I'm really happy with my PM (as long as I keep the HR not higher than 190) and with the second ablation.

I used to make lots of outdoor activities and I'm able to do everything again. Last weekend I went rock climbing, hiking and on Sunday I spent the whole day kayaking without any problem.

You know you're wired when...

You have a little piece of high-tech in your chest.

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